The next morning, just as the sun rose over the treeline, Hanako woke up to see two large buggy yellow eyes staring down at her. With a shriek of alarm, Hanako's eyes flew wide open and she raised her arm, smacking the imp away with enough force to shatter his skull, sending him flying away from her as she pulled the blanket over her, scowling fiercely at Jaken.
"What do you think you're doing!" she hissed as he crashed to the wall, "You little creep! Why were you watching me!"
"I was waiting for you to wake up! Lord Sesshomaru has requested that you go to him upon waking!" Jaken snapped irritably, leaping up and scrambling back onto the bed to glare at her in defiance.
Hanako grabbed the imp and gave him a sound thrashing, her hand slapping back and forth across his cheek, "You can tell Sesshomaru he can come wake me himself, or send in Rin!" She pushed the imp away, glaring at him venomously. She was about to smack him once more when the door opened and Sesshomaru filled the frame.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru began coolly, his eyes settling on Hanako, "You are dismissed. I will take it from here."
Jaken looked at his master, his eyes narrowing, "Yes my Lord. I shall go seek Rin." He leaped off of the bed and began to hobble for the door.
"Jaken, I have a different task for you." Sesshomaru said softly, turning his gaze to look down at the imp.
"A-and what would that be Master?" Jaken replied nervously. He twiddled his small thumbs anxiously, his eyes flicking to Hanako quickly.
"I need for you to seek out and bring back Kohaku."
Jaken gaped at his master, narrowing his eyes as he thought, "But whatever for Master?" The imp questioned.
His inquiry was met with a hard yet swift smack to the back of his head, "Do not question me again. Do as I say." Sesshomaru turned to Hanako, "Kagome has left some fresh clothes for you over there." He pointed to a small pile of neatly folded clothes on the floor. "We are leaving soon. Don't keep me waiting." His lips twitched slightly at the corners, as if he was suppressing an amusing thought. He then turned and left the room, Jaken following him while he rubbed his head, grumbling incoherently to himself.
Hanako blinked slowly, pondering what Sesshomaru could possibly find amusing. She looked down at herself, and she let out a shrill squeal of panic. She was naked! Her clothes had been ripped to shreds! Hanako threw the covers off, and she sniffed. Sesshomaru's scent was absent, other than the stale one from where he slept last night, and the one from over near the door. She reached two fingers down to touch herself, yet found she was dry.
Gripping the sheets to her chest once again, she looked around worriedly, her eyes wandering to the clothes. She hastily leaped from the bed, her hand outstretched to grip the fabrics as she panicked. Yet with a sigh of relief, she slipped them on, readjusting herself as she tied her hair up, collecting it into a neat ponytail. Once she finished, she turned, and with a scowl, she gathered the remainders of her dress, grumbling, "That was my favorite dress...custom made as well...now I will have to order a new one.." She took a deep breath in defeat before she stuffed the scraps into her pouch.
As she walked out of the room, she rubbed her temples, a headache pulsing and throbbing, pressing against her skull. It was rather painful, and the young woman was extremely put off by it. She had never had a headache, or at least, not a real one. Now she could understand why some would complain about them. Headaches were awful things. Hanako huffed irritably as she made her way to the dining room, where Inuyasha and his wife Kagome sat, eating breakfast. Beside them, a strange man sat holding a young child, a little boy, and beside him, a beautiful woman who was feeding twins. A young fox demon was with them, and as she entered, they all stopped and stared at the cat demon half-breed.
"Good morning Hanako!" Kagome smiled warmly at her, "Did you sleep well?" She took a small bit of her soup, her dark brown eyes trained on the woman, "Do the clothes fit well?"
"The clothes are perfect, thank you Kagome." Hanako smiled back, bowing graciously before she took a seat at the far end of the table. "And I must admit, I did not sleep as well as I had hoped." she sighed and flattened her ears, feeling uncomfortable as the seven pairs of eyes became fixated on her.
"So," the strange man began as he carefully spoon-fed a small bite of soup to the child in his arms, "This is the lovely Hanako Yamanari. Sesshomaru was very enthusiastic about you. One can only understand now. Here I thought you were some hideous beast. Not such a ravishing and extraordinarily beautiful woman. OW!" The man winced as the woman gave him a sharp pinch to the arm, 'I only speak the truth my dear Sango. You know I only love you."
"Well considering your history with beautiful women, I wouldn't put it past you Miroku." the woman, Sango grumbled, giving Hanako a warning glare, "And even I must admit she is rather pretty..."
Hanako felt her cheeks warm up and she pouted, flicking her icy blue gaze to her hands as they gripped the edges of the table. Her claws dug in slightly, leaving little holes on the wood. "I would appreciate simply being considered average. I am not beautiful. Not in my view at least. There are so many who are lovelier than I."
"Well, that would be quite the test Miss Hanako." a raspy young voice sounded right in front of her, and Hanako raised her head to meet nose to nose with the young fox demon. Where she would have normally squealed in shock, she simply blinked, and within moments, she erupted into a purr, grabbing the young fox andholding him to her as she gave him a snuggle to remember.
"Oh he is so cute!" she purred and trilled happily, her tongue flicking out to lick his ear and cheek, "Oh is this the little Shippo you told me of Kagome? I must say he is absolutely adorable!"
"Gah! Help! K-Kagome! Inuyasha! Help!" Shippo panicked and struggled, but the young cat-demon's grip was mightier than his own strength, "Help! Somebody!"
"Oh suck it up Shippo." Inuyasha grumbled and rolled his eyes, "Its not the end of the world. At least you arent being ripped apart, so be grateful."
Kagome was busy giggling as she watched the scene as Miroku and Sango gazed at the affectionate attack in surprise. "Well Shippo..." Miroku chuckled softly, "You may have asked for it, considering you allowed yourself to be within reach of her. And if I weren't already married to my beautiful Sango, why, I would be smitten with jealousy. OW!" He was rewarded for his words by another sharp pinch by Sango, who returned her attention to her food once more.
"I would ask that you refrain from such usage to my mate," A soft cool voice sounded behind Hanako, sending shivers down her spine. She turned to face Sesshomaru, who was giving Miroku an icy glare, "Or I will be forced to cut your tongue out myself. It is disrespectful to speak of a woman that way when your own wife and children are with you, and when the object of your desiring words is already taken by one far superior to yourself."
"And here we go with the ego again." Inuyasha rose and strode out, huffing as she passed Sesshomaru, "I'm going out on patrol. Miroku, are ya coming?" he turned to the monk, his purple eyes flashing as he gave him a stern look before leaving the room.
The monk Miroku let out a sigh, handing the child to Sango before rising from his own seat, "Very well. And I apologize to you Sesshomaru, for offending you, and to you, my lovely Sango, for upsetting you with my words." With that, he gave his wife a soft kiss, grabbing his staff and heading out after Inuyasha.
"Uh.." Shippo's voice sounded from where he was still held in Hanako's arms, "Can I go with them?"
Hanako looked down at the little fox, and with a long smooch to the cheek, she released him, giggling as he spluttered and gasped, "Oh yuck! Even Kagome has never done that!" he gave Hanako a fearful look before racing away.
"I am not sure if I should be upset that you have never given me a kiss quite like that..." Sesshomaru murmured before smorking lightly, "But then again, it is rather soon isnt it? I honestly dont expect such affections for some time..."
Hanako gave her new 'mate' a long steady look, "Then we both agree that you will have to earn them yes?"
He gave her a look of mock pain, "Oh that wounds me my love. But I understand. I promised I wouldnt push you. We shall be nice and slow." he chuckled softly, and Hanako grew irritated. Why was he in such a good mood? Why was she in such a sour state? She huffed and pouted once more, looking away as she drummed her claws on the table.
"Well, once Rin awakens, we shall be heading off. I have a small business associate I must tend to, and of course, I do need to speak with an old friend." Sesshomaru murmured softly, his eyes now closed as he spoke.
"Who is this Kohaku?" Hanako blurted out, and the angry look she received from Sango made her flinch, "I am curious."
"Kohaku is my little brother. He is a demon-slayer. Like me." Sango hissed softly, her eyes flashing dangerously as she rocked her son, "Why do you want to know?"
"I request his aid in a mission I am going to send him on. Nothing sinister my dear. I assure you." Sesshomaru smiled, yet it held little warmth.
Hanako paled, her eyes wide as she gazed at Sango fearfully, "A-a Demon Slayer?" she knew she was giving off a fear-scent, for Sesshomaru grabbed her arma dn dragged her closer, embracing her as he gave Sango a warning glare.
"No need to fear my love," he murmured, "Sango wont harm you. I can promise that."
Sango gazed at Sesshomaru rather stupidly, as well as Kagome who has been mid bite. To see such tenderness in front of them be displayed by the Lord Sesshomaru, it was rather disorientating. Hanako could have cared less what their reactions were, as she melted against him, still gazing at Sango with a newfound fear. she had heard stories of the Demon Slayers, of how they hunted demons, and even half-demons who had been troublesome. And all she could see, hear, smell, and comprehend, was the demon hunter sitting in front of her, her heart threatening to freeze in her chest from fear. Her eye twitched, and she palms glowed as she readied her blades to defend herself. Her tail flicked irritably, ears pricked and her pupils pinpricks as she gazed at her potential enemy.
Sango would notice these small, almost minute signs, and she slowly reached her hand down, grabbing onto the massive boomerang lying next to her out of view of Hanako, her own eyes narrowed as she held her son to her chest. The twins had already fled, the tension scaring them as the half-demon and the demon hunter stared the other down, stiff, wary, alert. ready for a fight. If either made a wrong move, there most certainly would be a fight, one where hell would be unleashed...
*Author's Note:*
so sorry for this late update! I have been super busy, and I had a serious writer's block! I will try to belt out a new chapter soon, but do enjoy this! Thank you for reading!
